Hong Kong director Stephen Chow has released his new film "Kung Fu Women's Soccer" after many years, raking in more than 800 million RMB (about 480 million ringgit) at the global box office, showcasing his strong box office appeal. However, behind the film's impressive performance lies major controversy on the international stage, with Korean media and netizens expressing strong backlash against certain elements of the film.
The center of controversy stems from an overseas rival team in the film named "Ewha Team," which is believed to be a reference to the well-known Korean Ewha Womans University. In the plot, the team not only commits malicious fouls, but also uses "the beauty trap" to bribe referees. Korean media considers this a deliberate attempt to smear the nation's sports image. There are also rumors that the production crew tried to invite Korean actor Song Kang-ho to make a cameo as the "corrupt referee," but he declined; this has further angered Korean netizens, who have called for a boycott and expressed disappointment in online comments.
Although "Kung Fu Women's Soccer" features stars such as Dilraba Dilmurat and Lay Zhang and has performed extremely well at the box office, audience reviews remain highly polarized. Some viewers appreciate the nostalgic return of Stephen Chow, while others criticize the apparent use of AI for special effects and find the humor outdated. Stephen Chow was visibly emotional during promotions, saying, "I'm most afraid of disappointing everyone." The film's continued performance in various markets remains highly anticipated.
News Source: China Times